Stalk-puller.



R. W. BROOKS.

STALK FULLER.

APPLICATION FILED nmzs, 1913.

1 ,1 O8, 825. Patented Aug. 25, 1914 tutor/m: 1

THE NORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTD-LITHO,, WASHING TUNA DjC.

ROBERT tilt POLLARID, ALABAMA.

swarms-onions.

Specification ofLettz-zrs Patent. ildtttellteil A119. 25, 1914:

Application filed December 526. 1913. Serial No. 808,752.

To all whom it may concern p p Be it known that l, Ronnnr l'VuBRooks, a

citizen of the United States, and residing at Pollard, in the county of .Escamlna and State ofnlabama, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Stalk-Pullers,

of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to stalk pullers. The object of the invention is to provide a. machine of this character which will rapidly and effectively pull stalks of anyde' scription, and deliver them upon a plattorin, whence they may be discharged by an operator occupying a seat upon the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for securing the positive opening and closing of the stalk gripping or pulhng jaws, whereby to insure not only the removal of the stalk from the ground but its release at the proper time, and in position to be removed.

With the aboveand other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts of a stalk puller as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a stalk puller constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view in vertical longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view displaying the mechanism for closing the gripping jaws.

' Fig. t is a detail view on an enlarged scale of one of the grippers. Fig. 5 is a detached detail view of one of the gripper jaws.

The frame of the machine compr'ses, generally stated, two side sills 1, each of which is provided at one end with a lateral arm 9. to which it is designed to attach the swingle trees, (not shown). The side sills are connected adjacent their rear ends by an axle 3 carrying ground wheels l of any preferred construction.

As the particular construction of supporting frame does not enter into the construction of the apparatus, further description is deemed unnecessary. Carried by the upper side of each sill is a cam 5, of metal, each being provided with a cut-away portion 6, the function of which will presently appear. Journaled in suitable bearings upon the sills and extending centrally through the cams is stalks to the bar.

a shaft l' carrying a drum comprising two heal s is and connecting slats or bars 9. tlnon the bars is mounted the stalk rn-- j c a: ping inechamsm which constitutes the essential ftaiture oil the present invention, and as the consi ruction of each set of grippers the same, a descri 'ition of one will serve for both. i'lach grip ier comprises two aws 10 having their opposed edges outwardly flared. and pivotally connected at ll to one the bars fl, the two jaws being formedlat their crotch with a substantially circular reones if in wliich the stalks pass and are gripped, the angular disposition of the opposed ,es of the jaws serving to direct the the recess. Each jaw isprovided with a boss or lug 123 to which is pivoted one end of a sleevel l which held against arcuate movement by a clamp 15 secured to Slidahly-inounted in the sleeve 14' is a rod 16, that portion housed within the sleeve being provided with a pin 17 that projects through the slot 18 in the sleeve, and by this arrangement, the rod will be held from accidental disconnection from the sleeve, while being permitted merely to slide therein. The outer end of the bar carries a roller 19 that is designed to travel against the inner face of the cam 5, against which it is held yieldingly by a coiled spring 20, one

end of which is secured to a projection 21 on the arm, the other end being secured at 22 to the bar 9.

ltigidly secured to the under side of each of the sills and in the path of movement of the series of rollers 1.9, is a cam projection 20, the object of which is to close the j aws after they have gripped the stalk, the

plain surfaces of the two cams holding the aws closed until the rollers reach the cutaway portions (3, whereupon the springs 20 will perform their function, and throw the jaws open, thus permitting the stalk to be deposited upon a platform 22 supported at the rear end ofthe frame, down which the removed stalks may slide, or may be forked oil? by an operator occupying a seat 23 on platform 9.22 near one side of the platform. A means for imparting rotary mo- .tion to the drum comprises a gear wheel 24;

that is rigidly mounted upon the axle 3 and meshes with a gear 25 rigidly mounted upon the shaft 7.

In operation, as the machine being drawn in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig.1, the rollers of one set of gripper arms will contact with the cams 20, thereby closing the jaws. around the stalk, which has previously entered between them, and into the crotch or notch 12, and as stated, the jaws will be held closed by the rollers traveling against the plain opposed faces of the cams nntil they reach the cut-away portions 6, whereupon the jaws will be instantly opened, and ,the stalk is lodged upon the platform from whence it may be removed ,in any suitable manner.

,It will be seen from the foregoing. desQ-iptiorrthat although the improvements herein defined, are simple in character, that they will be thoroughly eflicient for the purposes designed and will cooperate in the production of an efiective and thoroughly practical stalk puller.

hat I claim as new is 1 1. In a stalk puller, a supporting frame, a drum carried thereby, gripping aws pivotally -connected ,with the drain, a sleeve piv0tally connected with each jaw, a spring drawn bar slidably-mounted in each sleeve and carrying at its outer end a roller, cams supported by the frame to be engaged by the roller, the opposed faces of the cams being provided with out-away portions to permit release of the and cams depending from the under side of the frame and in the path of travel of the rollers to eifec-t their closing,

2. In a stalk puller, a supporting frame,

a drum carried thereby, a pair of outwardly converging jaws pivoted to the drum, a sleeve 'pivotally connected with each jaw,

spring, drawn bar having a sliding connectionwith each sleeve, a roller carried by the outerend of each bar, cams supported by the frame, each provided with a cutaway portion serving to release the jaws, and cams, depending from the under side of the frame and arranged in the path of travel of the rollers to close the jaws; I

In testimony whereotI aflix my signature in presenceof two witnesses} 1,, ROBERT V. BROOKS. lVitnesses:

SALLIE Dawson, C. C. BROOKS.

Copies of this patent be obtained for five eents; each, addressing the Commissioner of Yatents, Washington, D. C. 

